EU Calls High Tariffs on Electric Vehicles Unfair... WTO Complaint Filed

"Temporary Tariff Imposition Lacks Factual and Legal Basis"

China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), claiming that the European Union's (EU) high tariffs on domestically produced electric vehicles are unfair, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 10th.

China's Ministry of Commerce stated on its website the previous day that "the EU's imposition of provisional tariffs lacks factual and legal grounds, seriously violates WTO rules, and undermines global cooperation on climate change."

The Ministry urged the EU to correct its wrongful practices and work together to stabilize the electric vehicle industry chain, supply chain, and China-EU economic and trade cooperation. The WTO said it has received China's complaint and will circulate it among member countries before providing additional information.

The EU said it is monitoring China's move and maintains that the tariff imposition complies with WTO regulations. A spokesperson for the European Commission stated, "The EU is carefully reviewing the details of this complaint and will respond to the Chinese authorities appropriately according to WTO procedures."

Earlier, the EU increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles by an average of 21 percentage points on top of the existing 10% rate starting last month, citing market distortion due to excessive subsidies for Chinese electric vehicles. This provisional measure applies countervailing duties, which will be confirmed for implementation over the next five years if approved by the 27 EU member states in November.

In response to the EU's measures, China has retaliated by initiating anti-dumping investigations on EU pork and brandy products.